-PERCEPTION-

Jake rescues Sam and realizes a few things in the aftermath. Rather Jake-centric this chapter. Characters belong to Terry Farley. Will be Sam/Jake. Sorry if Jake's OOC, not used to his personality, especially with what I made him do in this chapter.

There you are, wild and free

Reaching out like you needed me

A helping hand to make things right

I am holding you all through the night

Chapter 5: Proclamations

Sam finally forced herself awake at eleven the next morning. Having woken up three times throughout the night, one for another dose of oxycodone, and twice before that for the lack thereof, she hadn't gotten all that much sleep.

She rubbed her eyes, adjusting to the bright light of the sun, glad that it was Thanksgiving Break, and that she didn't have to go to school the next day.

"Hey, Brat," Jake's voice startled her. It didn't sound like Jake, he sounded resigned as if something terrible had happened and he'd been forced to accept it.

She eyed him suspiciously, trying to read him. "Jake…"

"How ya feeling?" he asked sitting beside her instead of leaning against the wall where he'd been a moment before.

"What's wrong?" she asked, calling him on his saddened expression.

He shook his head. "Wyatt just got off the phone with your Aunt. They're sending you back to San Francisco tomorrow night." (Yes, I did dare to defy all the reviewers to do this)

"What? Why are they doing this? It was my fault I got hurt, it was an accident." She rambled.

Jake shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "I tried to talk him out of it."

Sam resisted the urge to laugh at the irony of that statement. Jake couldn't talk his way out of anything. She hung her head, the pain in her heart making her forget about the pain in her arm. She threw her arms around Jake for the third time in two days.

After a moment he pulled away, looking her in the eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

She nodded, deciding against her usual reply to that question: You just did, when she noticed the serious look on his face. "Sure."

"Why are we still friends?" he asked.

"What?" Sam looked shocked, looking as if she was about ready to rip his head off.

Realizing that what he'd said could be misinterpreted incorrectly, he held his hands up in his defense. "No, I didn't mean I don't want to be friends with you. I meant why are we still only friends?"

She couldn't think of an answer to his question. Why were they still just friends? She really didn't know. "Why?" she finally asked.

"Forget it. It wasn't important," He was rubbing the back of his neck again. Normal, quiet as death Jake was back, but she wasn't done with him yet.

"If you said it, it had to be important," she said, grabbing his arm to prevent him from leaving. "Tell me."

Before he could reply, there was a knock on the door and a second later it opened. "Sam?" It was her father. The glare he received in return told him that Jake had already informed her about San Francisco. "It's for your own good, honey," he said, sighing heavily. "You should start packing," he added, quickly ducking out of the room.

"I don't wanna go," she looked at Jake. "I have Tempest and Ace and the other mustangs and I can't just leave them. Plus, in less than a month Brynna will have the baby, and your leaving for college after the school year ends. I'm going to miss everything."

"You'll get to see your friends," Jake pointed out, trying to find some upside to this predicament.

Sam closed her eyes. "You're my friend. Jen's my friend, Darrel's my friend. The horses are my friends. Sure, I'll get to see some of my friends from San Francisco, but they can't make me forget that I can't see you."

"You managed before…" he shrugged.

She shook her head. "It's different now."

(And, now it gets corny…)

His mustang eyes met hers and he found himself moving closer to her, his lips finally meeting hers in a gentle kiss that surprised both of them. Just as quickly as he'd started it, he ended it, pulling away. As he did, he whispered three words. "I love you…"

"Jake?" she questioned.

He stood quickly, taking a step away. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled.

Sam stared at him, "Jake?" she repeated.

"I – I should go…" he said, standing at the door now.

Sam shook her head. "No, Jake, you don't have to."

"Yes," He was already at the door. "I do."

Lyrics at the beginning are the Backstreet Boys. I'm sorry for not updating this story, took me forever to get the plot completely worked out… Hope you like it! Enjoy and Review!